Capital District Times

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has issued a letter to Amtrak President Roger Harris and Canadian National Railway (CN) President and CEO Tracy Robinson, expressing significant concern over the prolonged suspension of the Amtrak Adirondack Line between Saratoga Springs and Montreal. Stefanik's letter calls for increased transparency from both organizations regarding the reasons behind the continued service delays, which impact communities in Upstate New York, North Country, as well as Canadian neighbors and tourists who rely on this transportation route.

Stefanik is also requesting that Amtrak and CN provide a clear timeline for when service will resume. The current suspension hampers tourism and economic development in the region during the crucial summer months.

In her letter, Stefanik states, “Over the past year, I have continuously called for Amtrak and CN to come to an agreement and my office has been engaged ceaselessly in advocating to keep the Adirondack Line fully functional. On May 17, 2024, both Amtrak and CN finally announced they reached an agreement to make the track improvements needed to prevent any future summer stoppages of service of the Amtrak Adirondack Line.”

The agreement mentioned by Stefanik includes a settlement where "Amtrak will make a payment to CN and CN has agreed to use the settlement payment to undertake track work on its Rouses Point Subdivision for Amtrak’s benefit."

However, Stefanik points out that despite this agreement, initial statements about short-term modifications were not upheld. She explains: “Initially, Amtrak stated ‘Due to anticipated track work, Amtrak has modified Adirondack service on a short-term basis from May 20 to June 30 and will only operate between New York City and Saratoga Springs.’ However, a few short weeks after the announcement of the agreement, the stoppage of service of the Adirondack Line was extended through Sunday, September 8, 2024.”

Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce expressed his frustration: “It's like Charlie Brown with Lucy pulling away the football over and over... The service is shut down for three years during and well after the pandemic but no work is done to address conditions.”

Steve Strauss from Empire State Passengers Association added support for Stefanik's efforts: “ESPA appreciates Congresswoman Stefanik’s tenacity in continuing to press both Canadian National and Amtrak for more transparency on this matter.”

In previous communications dating back to September 2023, Congresswoman Stefanik had demanded plans from Amtrak and CN to avoid future summer stoppages. Her advocacy culminated in May 2024 with an announcement that an agreement had been reached for necessary track improvements.

The full letter can be read [here](https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/6/stefanik-calls-for-increased-transparency-detailed-timeline-from-amtrak-and-cn-after-extended-suspension-of-the-adirondack-line).